Why sports fans traveling to Phoenix should stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel Phoenix Tempe

By Mike Rains

Phoenix has become a year-round destination for sports fans, whether you’re heading west for major events like the annual Barrett-Jackson Auction rare car and collector car event held in Scottsdale,  planning ahead for MLB Spring Training, which kicks off in late February– or making plans for  just after the All-Star Break when the Cardinals play the Diamondbacks in Phoenix.

On a recent trip to Phoenix for the Barrett-Jackson Auction (shown left), we decided to find out about the location of the Cactus League Spring Training. One hotel quickly stood out as an ideal home base for sports-focused travelers: the Drury Plaza Hotel in Tempe. While Spring Training hadn’t started yet, it didn’t take long to see why this location is perfectly positioned for baseball fans planning a trip to the Phoenix area.

A Central Hub for Spring Training Fans

While Cardinals fans are familiar with Florida and the Grapefruit League, some enjoy checking out the Phoenix are. One of the biggest challenges of planning a Spring Training trip in Arizona is geography. Unlike a typical road trip to one stadium, games are spread across the entire Valley, making the hotel location a key part of the experience.

Staying in Tempe puts fans within easy driving distance of several Spring Training ballparks, including:

• Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park (shown left)
• San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium (shown above)

Both stadiums are roughly 15 minutes from the Drury Plaza Hotel, making it a strong option for fans hoping to catch multiple teams over the course of a few days once Spring Training begins.

Tested During Barrett-Jackson, Built for Baseball Season

This trip to Phoenix was centered around Barrett-Jackson, giving us a chance to experience the hotel during one of the city’s busiest weeks. The Barrett-Jackson was held at  WestWorld, and featured auctions, live music, and exhibits,

And speaking of the car show, here’s a trivia question we learned the answer to: Who was the person to buy the first Jaguar  in the U.S.? It was actor Clark Gable, and a replica of that Jaguar XK120 car  that was shown at the Barrett-Jackson is shown, right. He bought the car in 1949. Getting to see these types of cars is what makes the Barrett-Jackson event so much fun to attend.

After a long day of walking around and looking at all the cars, it was good to get back to the hotel. The Drury Plaza Hotel proved to be a comfortable, convenient, and reliable base for long days spent around the Valley.

That experience makes it easy to see how well the hotel fits a Spring Training schedule—early mornings, afternoon games, evening plans, and plenty of driving between ballparks.

Value That Matters on Multi-Day Baseball Trips

Spring Training trips tend to last longer than a normal sports weekend, and that’s where the Drury Plaza Hotel really stands out.

For fans planning several days of baseball, the hotel offers:

• Complimentary hot breakfast, ideal before heading to the ballpark
• Evening Kickback, including food and drinks, alcohol included as well
• Spacious, comfortable rooms that don’t feel cramped
• Relaxed common areas perfect for unwinding after a full day of games

Those extras add up quickly and help stretch a travel budget—something any Spring Training regular can appreciate.

Close to Old Town Scottsdale—Including a Must-Stop at the Sugar Bowl

Another advantage of staying in Tempe is easy access to Old Town Scottsdale—without having to stay directly in one of the Valley’s busiest (and most expensive) areas.

Old Town offers no shortage of dining, shopping, and nightlife, but one stop that should be on every visitor’s list is the Sugar Bowl. The iconic ice cream shop has been an Old Town staple for decades, known for its classic soda fountain feel, massive sundaes (like the one shown, left), and old-school charm.

It’s the perfect way to cap off a night after dinner—or, during Spring Training season, after a day at the ballpark.

For baseball fans planning a Spring Training trip, it’s easy to picture the routine: afternoon games, dinner in Old Town, a stop at the Sugar Bowl, and a quick drive back to the hotel in Tempe.

If the Sugar Bowl sounds familiar it is because it was often featured in the Family Circus comic strip, created byBill Keane, who lived in the area and was a fan of the restaurant.

A Smart Home Base for Spring Training Travelers

While this visit to Phoenix took place ahead of Spring Training, it made one thing clear: the Drury Plaza Hotel in Tempe is an ideal home base for baseball fans planning a Spring Training getaway.

Every Drury Hotel offers free hot breakfast and free Kickback dinner, but everyone doesn’t always arrive at the hotel in time for dinner and that’s where their new Kitchen+Bar comes in handy.

Visitors can enjoy a casual meal or a quick bite to eat in a cozy setting at The Kitchen + Bar and sip on a handcrafted cocktail or choose from our carefully selected wine, spirits, or local craft beer.

Between its central location, added value, and proximity to multiple MLB ballparks, the Drury Hotel in Tempe checks every box for fans looking to build their trip around great baseball—while still enjoying everything Phoenix and the surrounding areas have to offer.